DEON SCHLEBUSH
Managing Director

Born in KZN in 1964, Deon Schlebusch completed his matric at Durban High in 1983, after which he decided to study a B-Uris through UNISA.

With Private Law 3 as his final subject, four years later, he registered for a 2 year Diploma in Marketing, PR and Sales through IMM, which he completed successfully.

Deon joined the SABC Auckland Park in Johannesburg in the late 80’s and held a variety of positions including cameraman, floor manager, editor and final control where he was responsible for direct  transmission.  He worked on Television productions like Muzik Ala Carte, Orkney Snorkney, Prime Time, Rooi Rose, Nomqibelo, Artes Awards, Toyota Top 20, No Jacket Required, to name a few.

After editing the promotional video for the opening of the Lost City, he joined Sun City’s Marketing and Public Relations Department. He held a variety of positions during his time at Sun City including assistant concierge at the Palace of the Lost City and Public Relations Officer for the Gaming Department.

Deon was then promoted and transferred to Morula Sun where he spent two years as Deputy Marketing and Events Manager. With this experience in hand, Deon decided to start his own company, Big Talk Entertainment, in 1996. With his great love of Entertainment and his background in business, marketing and events, this was the perfect combination of using his knowledge and skill to assist and uplift young artists and provide a five star service to both his artists and clients alike.  

Big Talk Entertainment has staged events like Jozi Jazz featuring artists; Feya Faku, Judith Sephuma, Thandiswa Mazwai and Jimmy Dludlu.  The company was also responsible for staging the 1st and 2nd Idols Concerts as well as MTN Roadshows. 

Deon was involved in the opening of Monte Casino, Emperors Casino, Emnotweni Casino, Flamingo Casino, Gold Reef Casino and the Ridge Casino. His focus has always been to keep it local and to support up and coming artists whilst staying up to date with the ever changing entertainment trends.

He has had the privilege of working with and promoting South Africa’s most prominent artists for both International and Local clients and events.  
           
Big Talk Entertainment provides one on one client consultation, conceptualisation, devising and staging of events. Big Talk is also affiliated with DAB Records providing a fully equipped state of the art Protools Recording Studio and young artists training academy to give young artists the opportunity to enter the world of show business and support and manage them through their careers .

Brian Bester
Creative Director

Brian has been dancing, choreographing and staging events for over 30 years.

He began his professional dancing career in Angola where he performed at Club Tamar at the age of 19.

After a few years, he returned to South Africa and formed his own dance company that toured the country extensively and won the   “Follow that Star” competition that led to his company performing for many events and TV productions like’, “Rooi Rose look of the Year, Muzik A La Carte, Something Old Something New, Body Beat and many others.

He traveled extensively locally and abroad for another two years performing on Cruise Liners with his dance company, after  which he performed in three of  Sun City’s famous Extravaganza’s -“Bravo” with Judy Page and Ian von Memerty, “Come to the Sun” and Spellbound.

Brian retired as a dancer in the late 80’s and started his own Production Company which produced Dance Revue’s, numerous Fashion Shows, Car Launches and he assisted on the Miss World Pageants.

He produced “Skin Tight”, a dance revue for the Wild Coast Sun followed by “ Ooh lah lah” that ran for a year.

He also opened Caesars Casino with a show called “Dazzle” to rave reviews.

Other Events included the opening of Monte Casino with full orchestra, 12 bands and a variety of over 60 artists. The staging of Miss Teen SA, Face of India, Mr and Miss Africa, Sunday Times Best Dress Matriek Pageant, Wella Hair Shows, Launch of Narovatis, Launch of Clover De None’, MTN Summer Tour and many more.

SALLY SMITH
Artists Agent

Work-o-holic Sally is characterized by her calm yet assertive approach to the job. Her vast experience has covered most of the behind the scenes elements in the entertainment industry. Kicking off her career in 1990 at The Market Theatre, Sally worked in the Marketing department with incredible SA legends Barney Simon, John Kani, Mbongeni Ngema and Mannie Manim. 

Every successful show relies on great stage management and precise technical execution. Over an 8 year period Sally nurtured these essential skills also working for The Performing Arts Company in Johannesburg and Pretoria, and The Johannesburg Civic Theatre. From Lighting Technician to Stage and Artist management Sally's strong hands-on yet quiet energy contributed towards the success of many operas , dramas and musicals staged . A highlight over this period was her appointment as Technical Tour Administrator for Alvin Ailey's SA tour; an internationally acclaimed American Dance Company.

Sally's love for working directly with performers and musicians resulted in being employed as an Artist Agent with LDH Music Management . Here, she often zoned into an Artist management role touring around Africa, and worked with many major iconic musicians including Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Vicky Sampson, PJ Powers, Hugh Masekela, Ringo Madlingozi, Mandoza, Msawawa, Claire Johnston, Don Laka, Dr Victor & The Rasta Rebels, Dorothy Masuka, Abigail Khubeka, Lebo Mathosa, Jonathan Butler, Jabu Khanyile and Bayette, Dawnay, Judith Sephuma, Bongo Maffin. High point tours and gigs include The Calabash Festival (North West Province) with a crew of up and coming (at the time) Kwaito Artists namely Zola, Mandoza & Speedy, and a special "Band reunion concert" at Kloofendal Amphitheatre, bringing together the amazing 80's bands' Cinema, Ballyhoo, Mango Groove, Evoid and the Working Girls. Other memorable experiences were two Dana Winner tours and a Mario Frangoulis’ tour to South Africa, all performed at the Sun City Super-bowl.

In 2005 Sally moved into the world of corporate entertainment, joining Sun International as Entertainment Co-ordinator for Sun City. She focused on contracting and managing artists from 'residential acts' to handling corporate clients hosting their events at Sun City. Another very important element of her role involved assisting with all of Sun City's international Acts and events staged at the Super-bowl. 

Today armed with decades of technical, production & artist management skills AND a huge love for the freedom of creative expression,
Sally brings her diverse expertise to the Big Talk Team. 

Shelley Coetzee
Artists Agent

Animated, out of the box Shelley is all ROCK & ROLL. 

Growing up on the stage and co-presenting Live-Wire, a funky South African pop culture TV program, Shelley's 'on the scene' experience' has given her a firm grip of  the dynamic entertainment world. Exploding with a zest for life, sharp wit and a huge sense of humor, Shelley is as solid as a rock ,and rolls effortlessly with the punches under pressure.

Shelley's biggest asset is her love for people, followed closely by her fine tuned inter-personal skills. With these assets and a 'have wings will fly approach to life,' Shelley operated for 9 years in the international-fast-lane hospitality service industry. Between 1994 to 2003, she applied her people skills and commitment to some incredibly high profile and high flying jobs. 

From VIP Guest Services Officer at the Palace of the Lost City Hotel (Sun City Restaurant), to launching and managing a trendy beach night club in Rishon-Lezlon Israel, and landing an exclusive flight attendant position on a private aircraft (owned by a very respected business Tycoon), Shelley flew her way to the top. Within 8 months she was promoted to a position of personal Event Co-ordinator for the same Magnate and his elite community. Here Shelley organized 'how-do-we-get-onto-the-guest-list' exclusive functions in London, Seychelles and Sardinia. Some of her tasks included booking & co-ordination of all entertainment (from SA & abroad), liaison with hair & make up stylists, bookings of flights, accommodation for staff, and the very specialized hands-on and personalized care-taking of international invited guests such as James Brown, Naomi Campbell and Denzel Washington, to name but a few.

Again this lead to other exciting 'Vip Guest Services and Function Specialist' positions with the Jumeirah Resort group,UAE, and The Hilton Hotel group in Dubai and Johannesburg. Areas of focus covered: management of the business centre and conference venues, staff management, liaison with clients, special events & launches, assisting with banqueting and overseeing the performances of entertainers.

Back on home ground, in 2004 decked out with many years of international hotel, hospitality, entertainment co-ordination, crisis and money-management experience, Shelley was offered a Marketing Manager and Booking Agent position at the well known music venue, The Blues Room (Sandton JHB). Wasting no time, she launched a brilliant marketing initiative called 'Shelley's New Music Blast ' ; a once a week gig, promoting up & coming bands. It was a huge hit, running for 2 successful years whereby bands and performers were wait-listed for months to get a slot. The Parlotones and Prime Circle - unknown at the time — were amongst the many bands that showcased their musicianship.

Before Shelley made the decision to move to Cape Town and join Big Talk Entertainment, she was a personal booking agent for Arno Carstons, Karen Zoid, Cofield Mundi, Josie Field, and Flash Republic. Her 24 hour round the clock job involved: Maintaining daily planning schedules, overseeing business and personal matters. This included daily diary management for live tours (local, regional and national), developing new touring regions, album and dvd launch tours,AND data base creation of live music venues, promotors & other agents, negotiation of fees & contracts.

Known for her generosity in spirit and her philosophy of 'catch bees with honey,' Shelley contributes her priceless worldly knowledge, expertise and daily comedic one liners to the Big Talk team . 

"I am drawn to the rock & roll in life – I will rock and roll till I slide into my coffin... oh of course not forgetting to take the bottle of Moet with me"